Attendance at Universal declines becasue of WDW's recent marketing

[peter11435]

You are allowed to like them both.

I actually do like them both.

And I think peter11435 is just here for arguements

You obviously do not know me or my history.

 

[All Aboard]

Precisely. The company performed well, not poorly.

Uh, yes it is.

Not necessarily.

In the context of one year, yes, you are doing well.

In the context of one year, you DID well. DOING well is growing your customer base and your top line revenue. Cutting costs, jetisoning employees and losing customers at the rate of 11% isn't DOING well. Keep that up for a few years and see how well you are doing.

 

[Sarangel]

In the interests of avoiding a "yes it is," "no it isn't" type of discussion, Peter can you refine this blanket statement

I simply stated, and I stand by my claim, that the "magic" at WDW is just as strong as ever.

into some specifics? How exactly do you feel that the magic is as strong as ever?

Personally, I find that I hear more grousing by CMs and see more neglected maintenance than when I first started visiting Florida's parks - for me this has reduced the magic (slightly, but still some). And just for reference, my first visit was in 2001 as an over-30 adult.

Sarangel

 

[peter11435]

Personally, I find that I hear more grousing by CMs and see more neglected maintenance than when I first started visiting Florida's parks - for me this has reduced the magic (slightly, but still some). And just for reference, my first visit was in 2001 as an over-30 adult.

Sarangel

I agree that I see more poor CM's nowadays. And there are a few maintenance issues (the Innoventions sign that hasn't lit for over 6 months) that I don't remember seeing in the past either.

However to me those do not represent the "magic" that is WDW. If you only look at the negative (and there was negative in 1971) anything will look bad. I agree there is slightly more "negative" to be seen at WDW today. But the magic is made up by the thousands of happy children and families enjoying themselves, the great CM’s (there still are many), the music and shows (watching FOTLK and the MK welcome show), the mix of great new and old attractions (Soarin’, POTC), the nightly fireworks (Wishes!), etc. If you want to go to WDW and see bad show and negative things you can, but to be honest you always could. And while there may be more negative these days it doesn't change the fact that if you want to go and have a magical time, you still can. Just as magical as ever. If you go to WDW and do not see "magic" then that’s your fault.

 

[Another Voice]

If you go to WDW and do not see "magic" then that’s your fault.

So if I go to a movie, I have to sit there and make it "good" no matter the filmamker decides to put up on the screen?

In other words, Mr. Peter, if you didn't like Shrek 2 it's all your fault. There were millions and millions of happy familes that saw the movie (just look at the box office). If you didn't see the magic, it's all because you just looked for the negative.

That's silly.

It's the job of the filmmaker - and the job of the theme park - to present an enjoyable experience. It is not my job as an audience to lower my expectations to accommodate whatever is presented to me.

Disney became a successful company because they didn’t demand their audience “find the magic” – it was because Disney constantly exceeded the public’s expectations, respected to the public and never settled for “good enough”.

You can replace your entire post with “lower your expectations and you’ll be happier”. Telling people what they enjoy is creating magic, it's marketing down.

 

[peter11435]

So if I go to a movie, I have to sit there and make it "good" no matter the filmamker decides to put up on the screen?

You can replace your entire post with “lower your expectations and you’ll be happier”. Telling people what they enjoy is creating magic, it's marketing down.

That is not what I said at all. I never said you have to lower your expectations. The fact is the Disney experience is good, the disney expereince is magical. The only reason some think otherwise is that they make it bad, not the other way around.

It's the job of the filmmaker - and the job of the theme park - to present an enjoyable experience.

Disney does present a very enjoyable expereince and the majority of park visitors see that. Only those who focus on the negative and try to have bad time don't see the that. If you go to WDW and try to me a critic you might be dissapointed. But the Disney parks were never meant to be experienced by critics they were meant for people looking for a good time.

 

[Another Voice]

That is not what I said at all. I never said you have to lower your expectations. The fact is the Disney experience is good, the disney expereince is magical. The only reason some think otherwise is that they make it bad, not the other way around.

You just said it again in the very same paragraph. You said that it’s my responsible to see the “magic” instead of Disney’s responsible to make me feel the “magic”. I have to accommodate to what Disney presents instead of Disney having to accommodate my desires.

Going to Disney World isn’t like Dad forcing us to eat our brochilli – “you going to eat it and you’re going to like it!!!”

“Magic” is going to different for every person. For you to say that “the Disney experience is magical” is just as wrong as for me to say “the Disney experience is not magical”. Some people will find it so, others will not. Just as you dislike Universal Orlando, millions and millions and millions of other find it so.

The issue when you’re running a business, like Disney, is to please lots and lots of people. That’s where Disney has been stumbling. People on this board represent only a tiny fraction of the guests WDW and Disneyland need every year. Since the beginning of 2000, fewer people have found WDW “magical” enough to visit than before.

The real question should be “why do people feel that” instead of bashing them because “they’re just looking for the negative”.

Disney does present a very enjoyable expereince and the majority of park visitors see that. Only those who focus on the negative and try to have bad time don't see the that.

Again – a value judgment that doesn’t mean anything in the real world. Why does the Magic Kingdom attract so many more people than the Animal Kingdom – is it because people are “negative” on the south end of the property but not on the north? What about California Adventure. Is that park empty only because us evil master villians on the Internet made people negative. If the vast majority are seeing the magic - why do only a fraction walk the 75 yards from Disneyland to DCA?

they were meant for people looking for a good time.

And that’s the difference between Walt and Mike. Walt made his park to overcome the objections and “seriousness” of adults of all types – and he created magic. Mike created parks already sold on “Disney” and expected people just to love the place no matter what he bothered to put in. And his parks failed.

That’s why we discuss “the philosophy” – it resulted in success.

 

[peter11435]

You just said it again in the very same paragraph. You said that it’s my responsible to see the “magic” instead of Disney’s responsible to make me feel the “magic”. I have to accommodate to what Disney presents instead of Disney having to accommodate my desires.

Going to Disney World isn’t like Dad forcing us to eat our brochilli – “you going to eat it and you’re going to like it!!!”

Your missing the point. You don't have to look for the magic at WDW, it's all right there for you. Disney works very hard and does a great job to make you see the magic. But if you constantly look the other way and pick everything apart what do you expect.

“Magic” is going to different for every person. For you to say that “the Disney experience is magical” is just as wrong as for me to say “the Disney experience is not magical”. Some people will find it so, others will not. Just as you dislike Universal Orlando, millions and millions and millions of other find it so.

The thing that has always been the case.

 

[Spectro is #1]

Peter you are letting them throw you off track. The topic "has the Magic declined" Is what sets WDW apart in the paint, roofing shingles, off the self rides?

I can only say that to me the answer is no. Disney entertains all the time! It is in the themeing even in the ques, the fun of finding a hidden mickey, walking down main street and meeting the mayor. It's a barbershop that cuts hair and is not just a phoney store front. The surprises skits and live music that are not in the park schedule. The gardens and landscaping.
Traveling into the CR on the Monorail. A South Pacific themed hotel that has torches at night when they could just have put up lights. Fireworks shows that are unmatched. Million dollar parades that run every or almost every day and night.

And the one thing no other park has is the Disney franchise of characters.

I think US has lost some magic over the past 10 years. I went in 93 and loved it. How many attractions and shows are now gone or have changed for the worse from US?

You can like both parks but the point of the thred was does US get it? I say no? They lost market share and put a happy spin on it.

 

[YoHo]

I feel like I'm in the middle of a monty Python Sketch

 

[pedro2112]

I feel like I'm in the middle of a monty Python Sketch

No you don't.

 

[Another Voice]

I can only say that to me the answer is no.

And that’s a perfectly rational and valid opinion. It’s not a blanket statement that “the magic is better now than ever”, but a statement of how you see things and how you want to see things. And I appreciate that you listed those things that “make the magic” for you.

 

[peter11435]

And that’s a perfectly rational and valid opinion. It’s not a blanket statement that “the magic is better now than ever”, but a statement of how you see things and how you want to see things. And I appreciate that you listed those things that “make the magic” for you.

I never said the magic was better now than ever. I said it was just the same as it has always been. And I too listed the things that "make the magic" for me.

 

[YoHo]

Your missing the point. Peter, you're stating a personal opinion that applies only to you. It loses almost all meaning when we're trying to discuss the company, the theme parks, the magic as it applies to the population as a whole.


Also, Yes I do.

 

[peter11435]

Your missing the point. Peter, you're stating a personal opinion that applies only to you. It loses almost all meaning when we're trying to discuss the company, the theme parks, the magic as it applies to the population as a whole.

I would say my opinion does apply to the population as a whole.

What you and other on this board say about the decline of Disney is nothing more than personal opinion also.

Also, Yes I do.

You do what?

 

[Another Voice]

I would say my opinion does apply to the population as a whole.

And that just about sums it all up.

 

[peter11435]

And that just about sums it all up.

Can you show any evidence to prove I'm wrong.

I bet you can't.

The public speaks with their wallets. And milliions of people still head to WDW every year.

 

[Foladar]

That is not what I said at all. I never said you have to lower your expectations. The fact is the Disney experience is good, the disney expereince is magical. The only reason some think otherwise is that they make it bad, not the other way around.

Ever think people may not enjoy the same things as you? Maybe someone along the way made their trip less magical? Not everyone has to "make it bad" to make the trip nonmagical, whether you think so or not.

 

[peter11435]

Ever think people may not enjoy the same things as you? Maybe someone along the way made their trip less magical? Not everyone has to "make it bad" to make the trip nonmagical, whether you think so or not.

That’s going even further off topic. Obviously someone or something could make someone's trip less magical. But that has always been the case. And I am well aware that not everyone enjoys the same thing as me. That is exactly how it should be. However people have always had different tastes, that is nothing new.

In the 1970's there were people who did not "get" WDW. That doesn't mean it was not a great place. The same can be said today.

My position (and I stand by it) is that if you felt the magic of WDW in the 1970's, then you will fill the magic of WDW in 2006. The only way you won't is if you go into it looking to pick apart, criticize, and bash.

 

[All Aboard]

My position (and I stand by it) is that if you felt the magic of WDW in the 1970's, then you will fill the magic of WDW in 2006. The only way you won't is if you go into it looking to pick apart, criticize, and bash.

Curious. Did you experience the WDW of the 1970's?

I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle. But, I cannot dismiss the opinions of those who see and feel deterioration in many areas since that time, just because I don't wholeheartedly agree with them. There are more than just a few random people on this discussion board who were displeased with the direction that the Eisner-run Disney company was headed. Do you recall the 2004 annual meeting? Amongst the displeasure was the theme parks. The limited attraction offerings at newly opened parks, the addition of cheaper attractions that lacked the level of quality that folks had identified with Disney.

Indeed, people who have started thier WDW experience rather recently will find all the magic in the world. But, I know so many that have a very valid opinion that things began to make a turn for the worse in the mid 1990's.